Clutch and brake for washing machines



July 1 w.- G. LANDWIER 2,684,137

CLUTCH AND BRAKE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed July 20, 1959 0 [NT/ENTERWILLIAM G. LANIIIWIBR ATTUENEY Patented July 20, 1954 CLUTCH AND BRAKEFOR WASHING MACHINES William G. Landwier, Fayetteville, N. Y., assignorto Easy Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation ofDelaware Application July 20, 1950, Serial No. 174,979

6 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to acontrol for an agitator type washing machine.

In Geldhof Patent 2,111,143, and also application Serial No. 792,363,filed December 18, 1947, now Patent No. 2,627,175, there is shown atransmission and a control mechanism for applying power at will to avertical oscillatory agitator such as is commonly used in washingmachines. The control as shown acts to shift a constantly meshing pinionhaving a castellated end upon a vertical agitator shaft, the castellatedend being adapted in one position to engage a transverse clutch pinmounted in the shaft. In the arrangement shown, the control rock shaftis held in either one or the other of two end positions by anover-center tension spring, and acts through a lost-motion crank arm anda vertically slidable rod on which the pinion engaging shifter yoke ispositioned. Such arrangement comprises a number of parts, and hasrequired for assembly purposes that the rock shaft be made in two piecescoupled together at a point adjacent to the lostmotion crank arm.

The present invention utilizes substantially the same principle ofoperation, but is specifically directed to a substantia1 reorganizationof the parts, whereby the number of parts is reduced and the assemblagethereof is simplified. One feature of the invention is the utilizationof a one-piece rock shaft so constructed as to enable quick assemblythereof in the mechanism. Another feature of the invention is theutilization of an over-center compression spring acting directly upon anarm forming an integral part of the rock shaft.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure l is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing thetransmission housing and the vertical agitator shaft emerging therefromwith the control rock shaft in position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the rock shaft onthe line 22 of Figure 1; V

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the brokenline 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe broken line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the rock shaft in driveposition;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the rock shaft indisengaged or non-driving position; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a member forming an integral part ofthe rock shaft.

In the drawings, ther is shown a transmis sion casing l0 having a mainhousing structure l2 which may be of a casting, and a top closurepedestal member [4, the latter being secured and seated in a largeaperture in the top wall of the housing structure i2. Such pedestalmember includes a substantially circular plate I6 adapted to cooperatewith and form a closure for a corresponding enlarged aperture on the topwall of the casing structure l2, and has formed as a' part thereofupstanding spaced members 13 and 2t which support a shouldered seat 22.The seat 22 has an upwardly extending threaded sleeve 24 which isadapted to project through a central aperture in a wash tub bottom wall26, the threaded sleeve having a jam nut 28 adapted to clamp the tubbottom 26 between opposite washers 39 and 32. The sleeve 24 may beextended integrally or by a second sleeve 34 at the upper end of whichis a sleeve bearing for the agitator drive shaft 36, such bearing beingshown at 31. The agitator shaft 36 extends into a bearing boss 38 in thelower wall 49 of the transmission casing structure I2, and rests upon anend thrust ball :22. The plate id is provided with a clearance aperture44 through which the shaft 36 extends, and the shaft is provided with asplit thrust ring 46 lying in a groove 48, which ring bears againstspacing washers 513 located thereabove and immediately below the plate16.

Mounted upon the shaft 36 is a driven pinion 52 which is adapted to beconstantly in mesh with a sector gear 54 that is given a to and fromotion by an eccentric or other mechanism. Such sector gear would bepivoted upon a vertical shaft journaled in a top bearing boss such as 55in Fig ure 1, as is shown in the Geldhof patent or the applicationreferred to. The pinion 52 is of sufficient breadth whereby it may bemoved axially upon the shaft 36 without becoming disengaged, the pinionhaving a castellated end 56 adapted to engage the cross bar 58 passingthrough the shaft 36. Such castellated end engages the cross bar 58 fordriving the shaft 38 when in the lower position shown, but by means of ayoke Ell riding in a groove 62 in the pinion hub, such pinion 52 may belifted a sufiicient distance whereby to clear the cross pin 58 andthereby permit the pinion 52 to oscillate freely upon the shaft withoutdriving the same. The yoke 65) is rigidly secure to a laterally spaced,vertically extending shifter rod 54 extending through a boss 56 in theplate it. A compression spring is threaded upon the rod 6 3 andpositioned between the boss 56 and the yoke 66, whereby to urge the yokeand the pinion 52 normally to a lower engaged position as is shown inFigure 3.

To actuate the shifter rod 6 5 and lift the same to an elevated positionagainst the compression spring 83, there is provided a rock shaft Ell,having thereon a rock arm 12, the latter extending into a bifurcated endis of the shift rod 6d. Such rock arm 12 is provided with an elongatedarcuate aperture it, the end walls "is and 88 of which are adapted toengage a transverse pin 82 extending across the bifurcated ends of therod tit and through the aperture it. The rock arm '52 may be a part of aformed stamping, an arm 3 of which is provided with double bends 8t and88, and a rock arm 90, both the rock arms 12 and having apertures $2 and9 3 through which the rock shaft it extends and to which the rock shaftis securely fixed as by welding, keying or otherwise.

The arm is angularly directed so as to engage a cup 98 having a concavecenter section as and an annular skirt its within which one end of acompression spring 1%2 is seated. The other end of the compressionspring W2 is seated upon a perch in the form of convex inclinedprojection it which may be formed integrally in the plate wall it. Theangle of the arm 9i! is so disposed as to occupy an over-center positionwith respect to a line Hi8 extending from the center of the projection[fi l and the center of the rock shaft it, one over-center positionbeing shown in Figure 4 and the other being shown in Figure 5. Thelost-motion resulting from the arouate aperture it, and the over-centercompression spring, provides snap action in engaging or disengaging thepinion with the cross bar 55.

Movement of the rock shaft iii in the counterclockwise direction asviewed in Figure 5 is limited by the brake portion W8 between the bendsand 38 of the arm 84, such brake portion its being adapted to rest uponthe shaft 35 and provides sufiicient but lightfriction upon the shaft 36whereby when the pinion 52 is disengaged from the cross arm 58, andoscillating freely upon the shaft, the shaft 35 will be heldsubstantially stationary. The degree of friction resulting from thebrake surface 38 may be controlled by the extent of the over-centerposition taken by the arm 96 when in the braking posi tion as shown inFigure 5.

The rock shaft iii, as has previously been de scribed, has positionedthereon the rock arms 12 and so, the same being keyed or welded so as toform a unitary structure with the shaft it. in order to position theshaft in the pedestal members l8 and Ell, the member 21] may have abearing aperture Hi and the member it an open half bearing slot H3 (seeFigure 2). By such an arrangement, the shaft it may have its end is?readily inserted into the aperture lit, the shaft being rested in thebearing recess HS, it appearing that the open bearing recess l 13permits such assembly with the rock arms "52 and is already rigidlysecured to the shaft lil. It will be observed that the force exerted bythe com pression spring 'ifiZ is so directed as to hold the rock shaftit in the open bearing recess H3,

thereby permitting the assembly of the unitary rock shaft structuredescribed. The end of the shaft It may project through an outer wall orskirt ll l4 having an aperture lit in which there is fitted a grommetH8. The shaft may have a right angle bend as at iZt forming an offsetmeans tending to prevent the threading of the shaft through a closedbearing, and a handle extension l22 to which may be applied a convenientknob 82d, the latter being applied after assembly if desired, or beingof a size suh'iciently small to pass through the aperture H6 prior tothe insertion of the grommet H8.

The shaft 35 is provided with a split ring E25 resting in a groove l28above the plate it, there being secured in position thereby an umbrellaor slinger l3!) to prevent entrance under any circumstances of waterinto the transmission it.

It Will thus be seen that the structure described is relatively simpleand composed of few parts which may be quickly assembled and which, inassembly position, act directly upon the control mechanism for engagingor disengaging the eastellated pinion from the cross bar of the agitator shaft. The strength of the compression Spring N32 is such as toovercome at all times the strength of the compression spring 68 upon therod ea. By reason of the toggle action between the compressi n springHi2 and the arm 33, the effectiveness of the spring its to overcome thespring 58 readily accomplished.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be run derstood that the invention is not limitedthereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a control for a washing machine agitator drive, a verticalagitator shaft, a b ""ing mem ber therefor, clutch means comprising anelement affixed to and an element axially movable on the shaft forcontrolling operation of the agitator shaft, a slidable member connectedto said movable element for actuating the same, transverse rock shafthaving integral spaced arms and friction means adapted to engage saiddrive shaft, one being connected to sai slidable member and the otheradapted to engage a col pression spring, said rock shaft and arms beingformed as a rigid unit, a compression spring lying on a line bisectingthe normal angle of move ment of the last-named arm having one end inengagement therewith and the other end engagement with said bearingmember, spaced bearings for said rock shaft on said bearing member onopposite sides of said spaced arms, one of said bearings being radiallyopen on a side toward said compression spring whereby said spring holdssaid rock shaft seated in said open bearing.

2. In a control for a washing machine agitator drive, a verticalagitator shaft, a bearing member therefor, clutch means comprising anelement affixed to and an element axially movable on the shaft forcontrolling operation of the agitator shaft, a slidable member connectedto said movable element for actuating the same, a transverse rock shafthaving integral spaced arms formed from a double bent element having abraking surface adapted to engage said agitator shaft, one arm beingconnected to said slidable member and the other arm being adapted toengage a compression spring, said rock shaft and double bent elementbeing formed as a rigid unit, a compression spring lying on a linebisecting the angle of normal movement of the last-named arm having oneend in engagement therewith and the other end in engagement with saidbearing member, spaced bearings for said rock shaft on said bearingmember on opposite sides of said spaced arms, one of said bearings beingradially open on a side toward said compression spring whereby saidspring holds said rock shaft seated in said open bearing.

3. In an agitator drive shaft and control assembly, a housing coverplate, an agitator drive shaft extending through said cover plate, saidshaft having a drive pinion on one side of said cover plate, and saidcover plate having spaced Walls extending therefrom on the other side,on either side of said shaft, and supporting a bearing for said shaft, apinion sliding mechanism including a sliding member extending throughsaid plate substantially parallel to and spaced from said drive shaft, arock shaft journaled in said walls, extending transversely of saidagitator shaft and between said agitator shaft and sliding member, rockarms integrally secured to said rock shaft between said walls forming anintegral one-piece unit with the rock shaft, one of said arms beingconnected to said sliding member, a compression spring bearing againstsaid other arm and a perch on said plate, and extending substantiallyalong a center line between said perch and rock shaft intermediate theangle of movement of said other arm, whereby to provide a toggle-likeover-center resilient means, and a brake member secured to said rockshaft and adapted to bear against said agitator shaft to brake saidshaft, and limit movement of said rock shaft in one direction to defineone limit of said angle of movement, means for limiting movement of saidsliding member in one direction to define the other limit of said angleof movement of said rock shaft in the other direction, and bearings insaid spaced walls for said rock shaft, one bearing being radially openon the side toward said compression spring, whereby assembly of theintegral rock shaft and arms is facilitated and said rock shaft is heldseated in said open bearing by said compression spring.

4. In an agitator drive shaft and control assembly, a housing coverplate, an agitator drive shaft extending through said cover plate, saidshaft having a drive pinion on one side of said cover plate, and saidcover plate having spaced walls extending therefrom on the other side,on either side of said shaft, and supporting a bearing for said shaft, apinion sliding mechanism including a sliding member extending throughsaid plate substantially parallel to and spaced from said drive shaft, arock shaft journaled in said walls, extending transversely of saidagitator shaft and between said agitator shaft and sliding member, rockarms integrally secured to said rock shaft between said walls, one ofsaid arms being connected to said sliding member, a compression springbearing against said other arm and a perch on said plate, and extendingsubstantially along a center line between said perch and rock shaftintermediate the angle of movement of said other arm, whereby to providea.

toggle-like over-center resilient means, and a brake member secured tosaid rock shaft and adapted to bear against said agitator shaft to brakesaid shaft, and limit movement of said rock shaft in one direction, saidarms and brake member formed of a single double bent stamping, the brakemember lying between the adjacent bends, means for limiting movement ofsaid sliding member in one direction to limit movement of said rockshaft in the other direction, and hearings in said spaced walls for saidrock shaft, one bearing being open on the side toward said compressionspring, whereby assembly of the integral rock shaft and arms isfacilitated and said rock shaft is held seated in said open bearing.

5. A control rock shaft for an agitator drive control, comprising ashaft, a double bent stamping comprising spaced parallel arms lying inparallel planes transverse to said shaft, and an intervening integralconnecting portion extending parallel with the shaft and spacedtherefrom and having a braking surface adapted to extend substantiallyparallel to the shaft, said arms each having an aperture for said shaftspaced from said braking surface, and means for integrally securing atleast one of said arms to said shaft.

6. In a control for a washing machine agitator drive, a verticalagitator shaft, a bearing member therefor, clutch means comprising anelement affixed to and an element axially movable on the shaft forcontrolling operation of the agitator shaft, a slidable member connectedto said movable element for axially actuating the same, a transverseone-piece rock shaft having an integral radial arm thereon located shortof one end thereof, said arm being connected to said slidable member,said rock shaft having its other end extended from said arm and ofsubstantially greater length than the first-named end, spaced bearingsfor said rock shaft on said bearing member, located on opposite sides ofsaid arm, one of said bearings being radially open on one side for thelateral placing of a portion of the extended end of said shaft therein,and the other being closed and adapted to receive said one end of saidshaft by endwise insertion thereinto, an integral radial arm on saidshaft between said bearings projecting in a direction generally that ofthe radially open bearing, a compression spring aligned generally in thedirection of said radially open bearing, and having one end bearingagainst the end of said last-named arm, and the other end bearing undercompression against said bearing member to provide a resilientover-center knee action, and stop means for limiting rotation of saidrock shaft, said stop means being adapted to limit rotation of the shaftto an angle including the over-center position of said last-named armwith respect to the compression spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,858,947 Aitken May 17, 1932 2,040,034 Tatter May 5, 19362,111,143 Geldhof Mar. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date431,267 France Nov. 7, 1911

